Update after day 4: I am beyond thrilled with how much more control I have over my skis and how much more balanced I feel. I dragged out a pair of old Kastle LX82s I have that I haven't skied in two years. Really lovely feeling skis. They are full camber and I used to struggle to find the sweet spot on them (should be impossible on that ski--it's easy to ski and has a huge sweet spot.) What.A.Blast. I am beginning to realize how much I have been hamstrung by boots. Boots that "fit" with extra padding, but a shell that is miles away from my actual foot.
I can tip the ski and ride the edge easily. I can feel the things that I am doing with my feet and legs and torso that are NOT right, and adjust and the adjustments have an effect. I have to make much smaller movements to feel changes. I have so much more control.
I have zero canting on the right side, and 1 degree inward on the left side. I was at 1/2 degree but it wasn't enough. I did some edging drills yesterday and was able to lay railroad tracks a few times.
During ski testing, I noticed that skis with less rocker were more appealing to me. That's a first! I was able to work a ski like the Salomon S Force Fever (women's version of the S Force Bold) easily. On the flip side, skis with tons of rocker felt too pivot-y which is probably a result of me putting too much work into skiing them. I've had to work SO hard over the years to compensate for big boots that I make big movements which we all know isn't necessary.
I'm looking forward to skiing in powder and fresh crud, which should be on Sunday and Monday (if I dare ski on Monday.) For now, I am having more fun than ever on the groomers. I DO have some alignment issues in my hips that I can feel but I am able to compensate on the snow and believe that I will be able to create new movement patterns to overcome them.
The lesson I hope I've shared here is if you measure for a "race" boot, don't be afraid to go there! The ZJ is a very smooth, easy to flex boot that I've yet to hit a "wall" with the cuff. The stance is a little aggressive, but nothing like that Head B5 I used to own, and the fit is much more snug.
I can tip the ski and ride the edge easily. I can feel the things that I am doing with my feet and legs and torso that are NOT right, and adjust and the adjustments have an effect. I have to make much smaller movements to feel changes. I have so much more control.
I have zero canting on the right side, and 1 degree inward on the left side. I was at 1/2 degree but it wasn't enough. I did some edging drills yesterday and was able to lay railroad tracks a few times.
During ski testing, I noticed that skis with less rocker were more appealing to me. That's a first! I was able to work a ski like the Salomon S Force Fever (women's version of the S Force Bold) easily. On the flip side, skis with tons of rocker felt too pivot-y which is probably a result of me putting too much work into skiing them. I've had to work SO hard over the years to compensate for big boots that I make big movements which we all know isn't necessary.
I'm looking forward to skiing in powder and fresh crud, which should be on Sunday and Monday (if I dare ski on Monday.) For now, I am having more fun than ever on the groomers. I DO have some alignment issues in my hips that I can feel but I am able to compensate on the snow and believe that I will be able to create new movement patterns to overcome them.
The lesson I hope I've shared here is if you measure for a "race" boot, don't be afraid to go there! The ZJ is a very smooth, easy to flex boot that I've yet to hit a "wall" with the cuff. The stance is a little aggressive, but nothing like that Head B5 I used to own, and the fit is much more snug.